Is Sherwin-Williams All Surface Enamel Oil Base toxic?

No paint is risk-free, and "toxic" depends on how much you're exposed to and for how long. Here is what Sherwin-Williams's own documents show. Sherwin-Williams All Surface Enamel Oil Base scores 8 out of 100 across its 8 sheens and bases. Its untinted VOC is 412–444 g/L. Its Safety Data Sheet carries these warnings: cancer warning (all versions), reproductive warning (7 of 8 versions), skin allergen (all versions) and organ toxicity warning (5 of 8 versions). We found no third-party emissions testing for it.

Health score

8

VOC g/L

412–444

Use

Exterior paint, Interior paint

Safety Data Sheet warnings

• Cancer warningall versionsContains Methyl Ethyl Ketoxime, Ethylbenzene, a suspected carcinogen present in the paint itself, not only as dust.
• Reproductive warning7 of 8 versionsSuspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
• Skin allergenall versionsMay cause an allergic reaction.
• Organ toxicity warning5 of 8 versionsMay affect organs through repeated or high exposure (for example solvent vapors).
• Flammableall versionsKeep away from heat and flames.
• Aspiration hazardall versionsMay be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.

Evidence beyond the label

• Emissions testing: none found
• Health certification: none found
• Full ingredient list (Health Product Declaration): not published

All 8 versions

• Gloss · BlackVOC 438 g/L · 6 warnings8Bad
• Gloss · Deep BaseVOC 443 g/L · 7 warnings8Bad
• Gloss · Safety YellowVOC 444 g/L · 5 warnings8Bad
• Gloss · Tinting WhiteVOC 440 g/L · 6 warnings8Bad
• Gloss · Ultradeep BaseVOC 444 g/L · 7 warnings8Bad
• Gloss · WhiteVOC 423 g/L · 6 warnings8Bad
• Satin · BlackVOC 428 g/L · 8 warnings8Bad
• Satin · Ultradeep BaseVOC 412 g/L · 5 warnings8Bad

Updated October 12, 2026. Scores summarize the evidence makers publish. They don't guarantee safety or predict individual health outcomes. No brand pays to be listed. How we score